Danish presidency: Frank Jensen

Denmark must use its presidency to push for a stronger role for cities, writes Frank Jensen.

The incoming Danish presidency has its work cut out for the next six months. Taking the helm of the EU as member states are struggling with the eurozone debt crisis means the priorities are pressing. As a non-eurozone member, Denmark will want to help secure solutions for the eurozone that reinforce, rather than undermine, the wider EU project. Simultaneously, the Danish presidency will preside over negotiations on the EU budget post-2014. For both, setting a new growth agenda will be key.

Denmark foresees a model for renewed economic growth that does not further aggravate our climate and environment. As lord mayor of Copenhagen, I have put this ‘green growth’ at the heart of our strategy for the capital city. It is possible and profitable for the EU to meet economic needs while advancing environmental priorities.

Green growth will certainly be driven by new products and technologies. However we need to go beyond product and service innovation to develop integrated solutions. This is where Europe’s cities have a key role to play. Together with the mayors and leaders of 135 major European cities in the Eurocities network, I am convinced that European cities are well-placed to become smarter, more sustainable and more inclusive.

Cities account for 80 per cent of energy use. They are therefore also the places where the greatest progress can be made. Cities produce 85 per cent of the EU’s GDP and are the main population and employment centres. By concentrating population and providing critical mass for innovation in resource-efficiency, cities offer the most sustainable form of development for the future. Cities are test beds for new solutions, trying out new technologies, but also new partnerships, with business, citizens and other levels of government. They are the living labs for green growth.

We want the EU to make good on the Lisbon treaty’s promise of stronger multilevel governance, which cannot stop at regional level, but must directly engage cities as partners. The sooner all levels of government pull together to take concerted action, the sooner Europe’s economy will pull through.

The size and scope of the EU budget 2014-2020 will also be critical. The multiannual financial framework will be the largest single issue for the presidency. I am convinced that a budget better designed to empower, equip and resource cities will result in a more significant impact for the greatest number of people. Europe needs our cities to lead the recovery, through targeted investment in socioeconomic and territorial development across the EU. Metropolitan Europe is capable of driving smart, sustainable and inclusive growth that benefits everyone, not just city-dwellers.

Critical here is ensuring key city leaders are involved directly in programming EU funds. This applies across funding programmes and in particular to structural funds. Elected governments, and in particular the leaders of the major cities, with a public mandate and democratic legitimacy, must be round the table when investment decisions are taken that affect the cities and their surrounding areas. This is how to ensure intelligent investment, integrating and combining EU funds with other actions, securing the greatest possible impact.

Europe’s economic competitiveness rests on the performance of its cities. That is why Denmark must push for a strong focus on the role of cities as it takes forward the key priorities of its presidency. On behalf of Eurocities, I wish the Danish EU presidency a very successful next six months.

Frank Jensen is the lord mayor of Copenhagen and president of Eurocities